SCHWABING AND ART NOUVEAU

A new wind blew across Europe in the 1890s – in Paris, Vienna, Berlin, indeed, it could be felt throughout Europe, and even here in Munich. Especially in Schwabing, where artists could finally afford studio apartments in the new development surrounding the Academy of Fine Arts, it carried the most bizarre decorations onto the facades: peacocks, swans, monkeys, pharaohs' heads – and all in bright colors! As a long-established architect, one could only laugh at such audacity. But who is surprised by this new-fangled closeness to nature? Towards the end of the 19th century, factory chimneys, railway production, large breweries, and tenement blocks increasingly dominated the appearance of the city.

On this tour, I don't want to deprive you of the people behind these dazzling ideas, whether architects or clients. So let your mind be transported to the bohemian Schwabing, into smoky cabarets where wicked songs are sung against the hypocritical morals of the time. Or behind one of the huge studio windows, where not only men but also women gather around their easels—a sensation at the time! We'll also take a look at the creative Schwabing publishing scene, whose richly illustrated magazines are still legendary today.

Unfortunately, many Art Nouveau facades were lost due to wartime destruction, and even later, the delicate stucco elements were not protected from destruction—when they fell victim to the postwar zeitgeist as hopelessly outdated. We'll encounter several examples of this on our walk. Fortunately, people are once again proud of the achievements of this short-lived era, so many facades now shine in new splendor. Join me in enjoying this sight!